A NEW recycling system has been made so complicated by a council they have had to employ extra staff to ­explain the rules – yet baffled residents still think they are talking rubbish.

A new recycling system has been made overly complicated by a council []

Homeowners in Cornwall have been so bewildered they have jammed a ­helpline with more than 35,000 calls.

Yet the advice they get contradicts ­information sent out in a leaflet.

The new fortnightly recycling ­schedule, designed to make things ­simpler, involves a variety of coloured reusable boxes and bags but the system changes in different parts of the county.

In North Cornwall, Caradon and ­Carrick a black box is used for glass, whereas in Kerrier it is a blue box and in Penwith a green box.

For paper it is a blue bag in North Cornwall, Caradon and Kerrier but a red bag in Carrick.

While for cans and plastic bottles it is a red bag in North Cornwall, Caradon and Penwith but a blue bag in Kerrier and a yellow bag in Carrick.

Failure to put the correct rubbish in the right coloured bag will result in refuse not being collected and offenders could face a fine.

As you get older you start ­worrying about some of the simplest things

Pensioner Keith Waugh

The confusion stems from a new council contract made with waste ­management firm Cory Environmental. The changes mean residents who ­already have recycling receptacles will be given new bags and boxes.

Elderly residents are finding the changes particularly confusing.

Pensioner Keith Waugh, from Roche, said: “As you get older you start ­worrying about some of the simplest things and since I retired I’ve found that I can’t take a lot of stress.”

The TaxPayers’ Alliance said: “The main thing worrying us is that yet again we are seeing signs of councils introducing complicated rubbish systems that do not work for their residents.

“Councils with simpler systems should be used as examples. Of course they must be adapted locally as what works for one council won’t necessarily work for another.”

A council spokesman said: “Almost 30 extra staff have been taken on to deal with the anticipated increase in call ­volumes and they are making every ­effort to deal as quickly and efficiently as possible with the queries. We ­expected teething problems.”